MODIS Instrument Links

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MODIS Instrument

MODIS (or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) is a key instrument aboard the Terra and Aqua satellites. Terra MODIS and Aqua MODIS are viewing the entire Earth's surface every 1 to 2 days, acquiring data in 36 spectral bands, or groups of wavelengths. These data will improve our understanding of global dynamics and processes occurring on the land, in the oceans, and in the atmosphere. MODIS is playing a vital role in the development of validated, global, interactive Earth system models able to monitor and predict global changes.

In the MODIS spectral band (or spectral wavelength) table above, the bandwidth (column 3) for bands 1 through 19 are shown in nm (nanometers), while bands 20 through 36 are shown in µm (micrometers or microns). Note that µm can be converted to nm by multiplying by 1000; so the value 5.0 µm (which is roughly around band 25) is the same as 5000 nm, which is in the infrared (IR) portion of the spectrum. The spectrum of visible light goes from about 380 nm (indigo or deep purple) to 720 nm (maroon or deep red). The green band runs from about 520 to 580 nm.